Clans

The continent of Ossien is home to a civilization that stretches back millennia in its roots. Ossien is dominated by great clans, massive dominating groups of families with a common origin. This method of organization is universal and is the closest thing to a political system that most of the people of Ossien understand.

These clans are also externally hierarchical in nature, with regions being dominated by a powerful clan called the Mareyan, dominated by a kingly figure called a Reya. Beneath this are clans that are loyal to, sworn to, or have been subjugated by the Mareyan. These clans are called castes, and serve specialized functions for the Mareyan. Many of these lesser clans serve across multiple Mareyana, such as the Mërën.

These clans are internally hierarchical, with the clan leader at the top, and his or her lieutenants below her, and their retainers below them and so on and so forth. The Mareyan is unique as the leader of the clan is the Reya, and functions as a king or queen.

Each clan has historically claimed to be descended from a divine ancestor. This ancestor is venerated and worshiped as a patron deity or saint, though other divinities are worshipped.